Page 48 - Shahrvand BC No. 1219
P. 48
English Section 48
Chief Theresa Spence Resolute in Hunger Strike, 48
as Her Body Weakens
or a hero. There are times avail. Spence said she will only give up 1391 ید8 جمعه- 1219 شماره/ سال متسیب
when you can’t take the her fast upon meeting with Harper and
DAVID P. BALL and resolve. I told her, ‘The whole nation is pain, you have to do the Governor General, representing the In touch with Iranian diversity
-- Indian Country Today Media Network praying that Prime Minister Harper comes something. This is why I Queen.
December 24, 2012 and speaks to you immediately.’ Quite am doing it. There is too “Since she began her hunger strike I have Vol. 20 / No. 1219 - Friday, Dec. 28, 2012
As Attawapiskat First Nation chief Theresa frankly, we do not want a martyr here. We much pain, that pain has indicated that I would be pleased to meet
Spence enters her 13th day of a hunger don’t.” to go away. If not, the with her,” Duncan told ICTMN. “I have
strike protest on December 24—surviving Assembly of First Nations National Chief pain is going to get worse, also attempted to reach her by phone
on only medicine tea and fish broth in a tipi Shawn A-in-chut Atleo has also visited and things will get worse.” several times. I have expressed my concern
near Parliament Hill—supporters say her Spence. She is “in good spirits, but feeling The head of Ryerson for Chief Spence’s health. We remain
strength is ebbing, but her resolve is not. weak,” he told reporters in a conference call University’s Indigenous committed to the belief that the best way to
Spence began her fast on December 11, on December 21. “She has a tremendous Governance program achieve our shared goal of healthier, more
one day after the Idle No More indigenous amount of support. There are pipes being told ICTMN that self-sufficient First Nation communities is
rights movement sprouted across Canada. lifted and prayers being offered.” Spence’s hunger strike by working together.”
The Ontario chief is demanding a meeting Spence came into prominence in early 2012 is emblematic of As activists staged a second weekend of
with Prime Minister Stephen Harper when she declared a state of emergency indigenous oppression, Idle No More rallies—dubbed the Round
and a representative of the Queen to fix on her reserve. It led to international and resistance, across Dance Revolution because of thousands
the broken relationship with Indigenous media coverage and public outcryover Canada. participating in traditional circle dances in
Peoples. Though she spends much of her the community’s abysmal housing and “Each day that she does public—people at many rallies prayed and
time resting, surrounded by traditional health conditions—a situation that, while not eat, she is slowly sang for Spence.
drummers, singers and fire-keepers, extreme, is common on many reserves dying. And this is what “She’s a great inspiration,” Krazie Nish,
Spence insists she is willing to die. in Canada. Prime Minister Harper’s is happening to First a Gitxsan and Mohawk activist, told
“She’s lying down or sitting, and she goes government responded to her plea for Nations in this country,” ICTMN. “She’s led people across Turtle
out for walks in the yard around the fire,” assistance by seizing control of the band’s Pamela Palmater said. Island—not just in Canada—who are
missing-women activist Gladys Radek told finances, but Spence objected, took the “The purposeful, chronic underfunding doing their own hunger strikes in support
Indian Country Today Media Network dispute to court—and won. of essential human services like housing, of what Chief Spence is doing.”
after visiting Spence on December 22. The current hunger strike, she said, is for water, sanitation and education has resulted Likewise, Anishnaabe broadcaster Wab
“Right now she’s doing a lot of resting. all aboriginal communities, not simply her in our pre-mature deaths by up to 20 years, Kinew described Spence’s action as “awe-
She is getting weaker, but her stance hasn’t own. “I am not going to give up,” Spence youth suicides, over-representation in child inspiring.”
wavered. She’s got no fear of death. You told the Aboriginal Peoples Television and family services, prisons and hundreds “It definitely seems as though the world
could see it and feel it: She is not afraid Network (APTN). “I am here for my of murdered and missing women. Chief has chosen her to be a catalyst or a primary
to die. She’s a real stubborn woman. I feel people, for our rights. The government Spence’s pain represents the pain of our actor in bringing some of these issues to
very proud of all our First Nations people needs to really open its heart. I don’t really peoples. She is a true warrior spirit who is the forefront,” he told ICTMN. “She’s
for standing up and saying, ‘No more!’ I see myself as a saint or anything like that, humble, determined and prepared to die a special person, and I pray for her well-
feel very honored that it took one little for our peoples. We are all inspired by her being.”
woman to move the world.” strength and stand beside her in solidarity.” Radek told ICTMN that though Spence
Radek, Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en, told And while Harper has not expressed any is still strong two weeks in, her entourage
ICTMN that she sat with Spence around move to meet with Spence, Conservative seemed anxious about her survival.
a bonfire on Victoria Island, just minutes Senator Patrick Brazeau criticized her fast Meanwhile, other Canadian aboriginals
from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, while fire- as a setting a “bad example” for young have joined Spence, including 72-year-old
keepers smudged with sage and visitors aboriginals. Cree Emil Bell, of Cole Bay First Nation,
offered tobacco. “Obviously, her health should be first Saskatchewan, and 51-year old Manitoba
“We were allowed to go in and see her just and foremost, top of mind to everyone, resident Raymond Robinson, according to
for a few moments,” Radek said. “I was including myself,” Brazeau told APTN. CBC News. With Assembly of Manitoba
really moved by it. I spoke to her about “But having said that, I personally don’t Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak
how much support she’s got from all over believe in Canada, in 2012, that is the way warning that if Spence dies, “the long
the world. She told me that she is getting a to go, and I don’t really believe it sets a silent war drums of our people must ring
little bit weak. It’s really something that I good example for young aboriginal youth. loudly in the ears of everyone,” as APTN
never thought I’d witness in my lifetime— If people don’t take advantage of our reported, Radek concurred there would
this soft-spoken woman with such strength democracy and those processes in place, be widespread upheaval if Harper fails to
well that is unfortunate for those who meet the fasting chief.
choose not to.” “The only thing we can do is hope and pray
Aboriginal Affairs minister John Duncan that the Prime Minister finds the heart,”
told ICTMN that he is also worried Radek said. “How in the world can this
about Spence’s health, but insisted he has man, on December 25, sit across the table
attempted to contact her to meet, to no from his wife and family, going ahead with
his dinner, when he knows all he needs to
do is talk to this woman who is starving?
How can he, with a clear conscience, even
think about Christmas dinner, when so
many of our people and our children are
starving? There’s going to be blood on
his hands. What’s she’s fighting are crimes
against humanity. If she dies, I believe
there’s going to be a huge, huge revolution.
People are angry. We’re all tired of living
the way we have.”
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.
com/article/chief-theresa-spence-
resolute-hunger-strike-her-body-
weakens-146538
Chief Theresa Spence Resolute in Hunger Strike, 48
as Her Body Weakens
or a hero. There are times avail. Spence said she will only give up 1391 ید8 جمعه- 1219 شماره/ سال متسیب
when you can’t take the her fast upon meeting with Harper and
DAVID P. BALL and resolve. I told her, ‘The whole nation is pain, you have to do the Governor General, representing the In touch with Iranian diversity
-- Indian Country Today Media Network praying that Prime Minister Harper comes something. This is why I Queen.
December 24, 2012 and speaks to you immediately.’ Quite am doing it. There is too “Since she began her hunger strike I have Vol. 20 / No. 1219 - Friday, Dec. 28, 2012
As Attawapiskat First Nation chief Theresa frankly, we do not want a martyr here. We much pain, that pain has indicated that I would be pleased to meet
Spence enters her 13th day of a hunger don’t.” to go away. If not, the with her,” Duncan told ICTMN. “I have
strike protest on December 24—surviving Assembly of First Nations National Chief pain is going to get worse, also attempted to reach her by phone
on only medicine tea and fish broth in a tipi Shawn A-in-chut Atleo has also visited and things will get worse.” several times. I have expressed my concern
near Parliament Hill—supporters say her Spence. She is “in good spirits, but feeling The head of Ryerson for Chief Spence’s health. We remain
strength is ebbing, but her resolve is not. weak,” he told reporters in a conference call University’s Indigenous committed to the belief that the best way to
Spence began her fast on December 11, on December 21. “She has a tremendous Governance program achieve our shared goal of healthier, more
one day after the Idle No More indigenous amount of support. There are pipes being told ICTMN that self-sufficient First Nation communities is
rights movement sprouted across Canada. lifted and prayers being offered.” Spence’s hunger strike by working together.”
The Ontario chief is demanding a meeting Spence came into prominence in early 2012 is emblematic of As activists staged a second weekend of
with Prime Minister Stephen Harper when she declared a state of emergency indigenous oppression, Idle No More rallies—dubbed the Round
and a representative of the Queen to fix on her reserve. It led to international and resistance, across Dance Revolution because of thousands
the broken relationship with Indigenous media coverage and public outcryover Canada. participating in traditional circle dances in
Peoples. Though she spends much of her the community’s abysmal housing and “Each day that she does public—people at many rallies prayed and
time resting, surrounded by traditional health conditions—a situation that, while not eat, she is slowly sang for Spence.
drummers, singers and fire-keepers, extreme, is common on many reserves dying. And this is what “She’s a great inspiration,” Krazie Nish,
Spence insists she is willing to die. in Canada. Prime Minister Harper’s is happening to First a Gitxsan and Mohawk activist, told
“She’s lying down or sitting, and she goes government responded to her plea for Nations in this country,” ICTMN. “She’s led people across Turtle
out for walks in the yard around the fire,” assistance by seizing control of the band’s Pamela Palmater said. Island—not just in Canada—who are
missing-women activist Gladys Radek told finances, but Spence objected, took the “The purposeful, chronic underfunding doing their own hunger strikes in support
Indian Country Today Media Network dispute to court—and won. of essential human services like housing, of what Chief Spence is doing.”
after visiting Spence on December 22. The current hunger strike, she said, is for water, sanitation and education has resulted Likewise, Anishnaabe broadcaster Wab
“Right now she’s doing a lot of resting. all aboriginal communities, not simply her in our pre-mature deaths by up to 20 years, Kinew described Spence’s action as “awe-
She is getting weaker, but her stance hasn’t own. “I am not going to give up,” Spence youth suicides, over-representation in child inspiring.”
wavered. She’s got no fear of death. You told the Aboriginal Peoples Television and family services, prisons and hundreds “It definitely seems as though the world
could see it and feel it: She is not afraid Network (APTN). “I am here for my of murdered and missing women. Chief has chosen her to be a catalyst or a primary
to die. She’s a real stubborn woman. I feel people, for our rights. The government Spence’s pain represents the pain of our actor in bringing some of these issues to
very proud of all our First Nations people needs to really open its heart. I don’t really peoples. She is a true warrior spirit who is the forefront,” he told ICTMN. “She’s
for standing up and saying, ‘No more!’ I see myself as a saint or anything like that, humble, determined and prepared to die a special person, and I pray for her well-
feel very honored that it took one little for our peoples. We are all inspired by her being.”
woman to move the world.” strength and stand beside her in solidarity.” Radek told ICTMN that though Spence
Radek, Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en, told And while Harper has not expressed any is still strong two weeks in, her entourage
ICTMN that she sat with Spence around move to meet with Spence, Conservative seemed anxious about her survival.
a bonfire on Victoria Island, just minutes Senator Patrick Brazeau criticized her fast Meanwhile, other Canadian aboriginals
from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, while fire- as a setting a “bad example” for young have joined Spence, including 72-year-old
keepers smudged with sage and visitors aboriginals. Cree Emil Bell, of Cole Bay First Nation,
offered tobacco. “Obviously, her health should be first Saskatchewan, and 51-year old Manitoba
“We were allowed to go in and see her just and foremost, top of mind to everyone, resident Raymond Robinson, according to
for a few moments,” Radek said. “I was including myself,” Brazeau told APTN. CBC News. With Assembly of Manitoba
really moved by it. I spoke to her about “But having said that, I personally don’t Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak
how much support she’s got from all over believe in Canada, in 2012, that is the way warning that if Spence dies, “the long
the world. She told me that she is getting a to go, and I don’t really believe it sets a silent war drums of our people must ring
little bit weak. It’s really something that I good example for young aboriginal youth. loudly in the ears of everyone,” as APTN
never thought I’d witness in my lifetime— If people don’t take advantage of our reported, Radek concurred there would
this soft-spoken woman with such strength democracy and those processes in place, be widespread upheaval if Harper fails to
well that is unfortunate for those who meet the fasting chief.
choose not to.” “The only thing we can do is hope and pray
Aboriginal Affairs minister John Duncan that the Prime Minister finds the heart,”
told ICTMN that he is also worried Radek said. “How in the world can this
about Spence’s health, but insisted he has man, on December 25, sit across the table
attempted to contact her to meet, to no from his wife and family, going ahead with
his dinner, when he knows all he needs to
do is talk to this woman who is starving?
How can he, with a clear conscience, even
think about Christmas dinner, when so
many of our people and our children are
starving? There’s going to be blood on
his hands. What’s she’s fighting are crimes
against humanity. If she dies, I believe
there’s going to be a huge, huge revolution.
People are angry. We’re all tired of living
the way we have.”
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.
com/article/chief-theresa-spence-
resolute-hunger-strike-her-body-
weakens-146538
